‘Disgusting behaviour’: Wild video circulates of brawl at U11s rugby league match

The possible cause of an ugly ‘punch-up’ on the sidelines of an under-11s rugby league match in Brisbane has been revealed as game officials flag the possibility of life bans. WATCH THE VIDEO

• Crazy footage: Qld’s wildest footy fights
• Life bans for sideline brawl

Two officials involved in an ugly brawl at a Brisbane junior rugby league match could be banned for life from the game over a confrontation that may have been sparked by one of them not wearing shoes.

In a clash that went viral after being captured on camera, the linesman and coach came to blows in front of shocked spectators including kids at an U11s game between the Redcliffe Dolphins and North Devils on April 30.

Others at the game joined in the melee which sources say erupted after the linesman was taken to task for not wearing shoes.

“A parent had a go at him (the linesman) and there’s been a [reaction],” a Dolphins source said.

Former Dolphins premiership player Darren Smallhorne, after whom the U11s side is named, said he was shocked and disgusted at the incident and called for hefty penalties.

“It’s very poor and disappointing behaviour and not something we need in junior rugby league,” he said.

“There needs to be heavy punishment and I’m sure there will be for those involved.”

Mr Smallhorne, who coaches the Dolphins U18s and whose son plays in the U15s, said many people in the club were upset that the U11s players had been stood down from games while an investigation took place.

The touch judge can be seen involved in the fight.

“Why should the kids miss out on playing football because of the bad behaviour of a couple of adults?” he said.

The Queensland Rugby League has launched an investigation, with league chairman Bruce Hatcher warning that life bans were “absolutely” an option.

The QRL has handed out life bans in the past, including to a 16-year-old boy who attacked a 15-year-old with an umbrella at a game at Ipswich in 2011.

In 2012, 56 players were banned - one for life - over a wild junior grand final brawl at Wacol.

Thirteen spectators and a runner were banned for a total of 41 years after another violent clash at an U15s rugby league grand final in Townsville in 2015, with players involved copping a combined 31 weeks of suspensions.

A parent of one of the players, who wishes to remain anonymous, said the tension between the Redcliffe Dolphins coach and the North Devils touch judge was “building” throughout the game.

“I was bringing back the tee when I look to my left and see the coach and the touch judge going blow for blow, they were just having a real punch-up,” he said.

“Once it started going everyone was getting involved and I just remembered thinking ‘what is going on?’.

“My 11-year-old son was watching it and it first he said to me that the touch judge deserved, like kids, do but come the Monday he was a bit rattled and shaken up.

“As a coach you learn to block out the noise, it’s just a disgusting act. So unacceptable.”

The men involved in the incident can be heard screaming profanities at each other while bystanders attempt to pull them apart.

Both teams were suspended for the week following the incident.

The video also captures others screaming, “this is a f***ing kids game.”

A spokesman from the Queensland Rugby League confirmed they were handling the incident and an investigation into the circumstances of the brawl had been commenced.

“Both teams were stood down on the day and missed one game each. They will be back playing this Sunday,” he said.

Both clubs were contacted by the Courier-Mail but failed to comment on the situation citing that the QRL were investigating the brawl.

Police said they attended the event but no formal complaint was made.

The punch-up comes days after a Sydney referee had his jaw broken in a violent attack leading to the arrest of a 25-year-old man for the alleged assault.